mccarty



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

W. P. C. M. MGGARTY.

MULTPLE CIRCUIT CLOSER.

No. 300,098. Patented June 10,1884.

7&5

a @wasp .(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. W. F. C. M. MCGARTY.

` MULTIPLE CIRCUIT CLOSER. No. 300,098. Patented June l0, 1884.

N, PETERS. Phumvimugmpher, wnsmngm, n. C.

i Il I I- x for the production and simultaneous trans- .and supports the operative parts ofthe appailnrrnn STATES Partnr Ormes.

VILLIAM F. C. M. MCARTY, OF S'I. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA, ASSIGNOR TO JAMES F. PIERCE, TRUSTEE,y OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

MULTIPLE-CIRCUIT CLOSER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 300,098, eared June 1o, 1884.

Application filed January 4, 1884. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM Frrz OnARLns MASON MoOARrY, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Petersburg, Russia, have invented certain improvements in apparatus mission of a series of similar electrical impulses or currents to different termini, of which the following is a specication.

In the utilization of electrical currents it is often desirable and lof great advantage to be able to control automatically by a single apparatus a number of electric circuits, (derived either from a single or from separate sources of current,) which are entirely independent of each other, and which have terminilocally or. geographically apart, in such a manner that given impulses or currents may be simultaneously transmitted or set up in said circuits.

An apparatus conveniently embodying a preferred form of my invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, and hereinafter described.

In carrying my invention into effectI make useV in the rst place of a series of any suitable electric circuits or continuous electrical connections through which a current is intended to be set up, preferring, however, to employ wires of any ordinary character. I also provide such suitable sources of current as may be desired, and, in connection with the series of separate electric circuits aforesaid, employ an apparatus substantially of the character of that represented in the drawings, and hereinafter more particularly described, the said apparatus being one adapted to readily and reliably accomplish the object of the invention.

In the construction of the foregoing apparatus I preferably make use of a casing, framing, housing, or kindred. containing device of insulating material or mounted on a suitable insulating-base, as is ordinarily the custom in electrical instruments. This casing contains ratus and the terminals of all the separate circuits. ,e

In the accompanying drawings, A represents the above casing, consisting, conveniently, of a top or table, a, erected upon suitable standarde, c. The casing is adapted to contain one or a series of traveling rods, B, (represented in.

Vsaid traveling rods.

detail in Figures 4 and 6,) the same being formed of ebonite or other insulating substance, and being in the form represented in the drawings, so introduced into the casing as to be capable of a slight vertical movement with respect thereto. The upper extremities of said rods pass through apertures in the table, which conveniently serve as guides or slidebearings for said extremities, the said apertures being preferably in line, in the manner shown-in Figs. 1 and 2. The lower extremities of the traveling rods are conveniently stepped in framing-bars (LX, beinga part of' the casing, and are encircled by spiral springs b, interposed between said framing-bars and collars d or kindred devices on the traveling bars, which springs are adapted to resist the downward thrust of said traveling rods, and by their resilience to return or lift them to normal position. Other devices than spiral springs, collars, and framing-bars may of `course be substituted for thepurpose of lifting or returning to a given normal position the I simply instance the devices described as convenient for the purpose.

Erected and supported above the table is what I term an impulse-bar, C, the same being a rigid bar of any material, formed to cover the upper extremities of all the traveling rods. It is conveniently mounted at its extremities upon four supports, c, the same being preferably springs which are adapted to be compressed when the bar itself is depressed. Other supports may be substituted for springs, or, in fact, all supports, as such, be dispensed with. The impulse-bar is best actuated by a finger-key, D, of any usual construction, and conveniently of that represented in Fig. 4L. rIhis key may itself be actuated by a secondary coil or otherwise, if desired.

It is obvious that if the impulse-bar be depressed so as to encounter the traveling rods the latter will also be depressed.

In the arrangement of the parts represented, and for the reasons hereinafter set forth, a series of switch-keys, E, are adapted to be interposed between the impulse-bar and the traveling rods, so that when the impulse-bar is depressed it makes contact with the switchkeys, and through the latter with the traveling bars. Each switch-key is pivoted to a swivetstud, F, as represented in Figs. 4; and 5, the said swivel-stud being adapted to be rotated upon or with respect to the table, and so to rotate the switch-key away from beneath the iinpulse-bar- That extremity of the switchkey whichis adapted to be interposedbetween the impulse-bar and the traveling rod with which said switch-key is intended to operate is conveniently made oval-ended, as clearly rep- .resented at c in Fig. 5, so as to permit of the tilting ot the switch-key in the depression of the impulse-btu' without interfering with the contact oi' the inipnlse-bar and extremity of the traveling rod with said switcl1-key.

G4 (tare a set of terminals, suitably formed or supported in successive equidistantorother predetermined order in the casing, and connected with a series ol' circuits designated in Fig. 3-t`or instance, as from l to la. A. series oi" these circuits is arranged in connection with each traveling rod employed. The terminals oi' each series ot' circuits are preferably placed upon opposite sides of the traveling rods, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Each o1' the traveling rods is equipped with a series of comlucting contact-bars, l, arranged in successive eipiidistant or other predetermined order, correspondent to that of the terminals aforesaid, on said bars, and so relatively disposed with respect to said terminals of the said circuits that when a given traveling rod is depressed the contaetbars which it carries are brought into contact with opposing pairs ol" terminals o t' the circuits in connection with said rod, so as to establish connection between each ot' said pairs oi" terminals simultaneously. The contact-bars are conveniently made in th e shape of disks ot' metal, as shown in Figs. .l and (i, which are conveniently held apart at suitable predetermined intervals by means of collars vf, ol" ebonite or kindred non-conducting material, which are adapted to be slipped upon the traveling rods. Other devices than disks may ot course be employed. Disks are simply the most convenient contrivances. lThe terminals are either rigid or flexible, and are spaced to correspond to the spacing ot' the contact-bars oi" the traveling rods.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure il. is

a top plan view of an apparatus conveniently embodying my improvements, and equipped with ten traveling rods, each having connections with fourteen circuits, the switch-keys being represented as all thrown out of range of contact with the traveling rods. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional elevation, and Fig. 3 a transverse elevation, of the apparatus represented in Fig. l. Fig. is a transverse sectional elevational detail of the principal operative parts ol' the apparatus,- Fig. 5, a detail of one of the switch-keys, and Fig. a detail. ol" one of the traveling rods.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre spending parts in all the figures.

Such being a description of a convenient construction of my apparatus, it is obvious that when the switch-.keys are in such position relatively to their swivel as to be interposed between the impulse-bar and the series ol" traveling rods with which they respectively operate a depression ol'said impulsebar-sueh as is caused, :tor instance, by the linger-key@ will occasion the tilting ot' all el" the switchkeys, the depression ol" all of the traveling rods, and the contact ot' all ot' the contact-Imis with which said rods are equipped with the terminals with which they respectively operate, so as to make connection throughout all ot' the circuits which are in connection with said traveling rods, whereby in, l'or instance, such an apparatus as is represented in Figs. l and 2, in which ten traveling rods, each operating in connection with fourteen circuits, are represented, one hundred and lorty circuits would be instant-ly established. Yr'hen, on the contrary, it is desired not to throw into operation any particular series et' circuits, by simply swiveling out ot' range any given switch key or keys any given single series or separate series of circuits are thrown temporarily out ot' operation, the descent otl the impulse bar being without ellect upon such traveling rod or rods as are i'or the time being not covered by their switch key or keys. Cllhc entire switeh-key arrangement is therefore one el convenience, and when itis desired unilbrmly to actuatc all el' the traveling rods with which the casing is equipped the impulsebar may be arranged to make direct contact with said traveling rods.

Itis obvious that many purely mechanical changes both in the construction and arrange ment of my apparatus may be made without departing from the pri nciple of the invention. The arrangement represented is simply a cheap and convenient arrangement. rllhus, for instance, I can use a secondary coil or muguet either to actuate the impulse-lm.' ifiirect or to actuatc the linger-key. The u'inciple olA` the invention residing in the arrangement ol.' the traveling rods, which are equippelfl with the contact-bars, and are thereby adapted, when depressed, to establish connection sinnlltmleously througha series ol" imlependcnt circuits,

it is also obvious that any required number ot' traveling rods, or their eipliintlent, may be urn ranged in any suitable casing or housing, and that they may be equipped with any desired number of contact-bars, and may make con necA tion each with any desired number ot' separate circuits.

The reception of the impulses so as above adapted to be transmitted by means oll the apparatns described may be by any of the wellknown processes, chemical or mechanical. or by the ordinary Morse register or sounder. The uses ot' the device are not, moreover, con. iined to telegraphic purposes. iksconstrncted this device may be used to control a mimber otindependent electric circuits, so as to transmit the same impulse or message to a nun1- ber of points simultaneously, in ordinary tev legraphy forming practically a nniltiplelv tele graph; or it may be used to control the cur- I OO rent to a series of torpedoes or other explosives in warfare or mining, or for the firing of broadsides. Again, the apparatus may be employed, in connection with properlyprepared fillets or bands, as a transmitter of facsimile or Roman-letter messages, this latter arrangement requiring certain modications which will be explained in a subsequent application for patent.

I have described a series of traveling rods. It is proper for me to state that my apparatus would be equally operative with but a single traveling rod provided with contact-bars making connection with two or more circuits, and that in such arrangement it would of course be possible to dispense altogether with the impulse-bar and to occasion the depression of the single traveling rod by the finger or by a iinger-key or kindred device.

I have also represented and described the traveling rods as adapted to be depressed in order to insure the contact between the contact-bars with which they are provided and the terminals of the circuits. It will be easily understood that any mechanic could so arrange the apparatus as to cause the contact aforesaid to result from an upward or from a lateral movement of the said traveling rods.A

It is also obvious that the casing, housing, or framing represented may be modified in construction in various ways, its sole oiiice being to contain the assembled operative members of the apparatus in such manner that the terminals are iixedly supported with reference to the traveling rods and contact-bars with which the latter are provided.

Having now described my invention, I claim- 1. In an apparatus for the simultaneous transmission of given electrical impulses to dierent termini, the combination of a series of independent electrical circuits, each of which is connected with an independent service of current, and is provided with adjacent terminals arranged in predetermined order, a suitable casing, housing, orframing for containing the above-mentioned terminals of all the circuits, a traveling rod provided with a series of contact-bars arranged in predetermined order correspondent to that of the terminals aforesaid, and normally out of contact with said terminals, but adapted to make contact between them, means for actuating the traveling rod so as to bring its contact-bars into contact with said terminals, and means for returning said.

traveling rod and bars out of the above-mentioned contact, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In an apparatus forv the simultaneous transmission of given electrical impulses to different termini, the combination of aseries of independent electrical circuits, each of which is provided with adjacent terminals arranged in predetermined order, a suitable casing, housing, or framing for containing the abovementioned terminals of all the circuits, a traveling rod or series ot' traveling rods, each provided with a series of contact-bars corresponding in order and number to the aforesaid terminals, and an impulse-bar common to the traveling rods aforesaid, the arrangement being such that a movement of the impulse-bar occasions a movement of the traveling rods and the contact of the contact-bars with the terminals with which they are respectively adapted to operate, substantially as set'forth.

3. In an apparatus for the simultaneous transmission of given electrical impulses to different termini, the combination of a series of independent electrical circuits, each of which is provided with adjacent terminals arranged in predetermined order, a suitable casing, housing, or framing for containing the abovementioned terminals of all the circuits, traveling rods, each provided with a series of contact-bars arranged in predetermined order correspondent with that of the terminals aforesaid, means for returning said traveling rods to their normal position after enforced movement therefrom, and an impulse-bar common to the traveling rods aforesaid, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. In an apparatus for the simultaneous transmission of given electrical impulses to different termini, the combination of a series of independent electrical circuits each of which is provided with adjacent terminals, a suitable casing, framing, or housing for containing the above-mentioned terminals of all the circuits, a series of spring-controlled traveling rods, each provided with a series of contact-bars corresponding in number and order with the terminals aforesaid, an impulse-bar, and switchkeys adapted to be interposed between the traveling rods and the impulse-bar or to be removed from interposition, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

5. In an apparatus for the simultaneous transmission of given electrical impulses to different termini, the following instrumentalities in combinationz'aiseries of independent electrical circuits, each of which is provided with adjacent terminals, traveling rods provided with a series of contact-bars corresponding in number and position to said terminals and-adapted to make contact between the same, but normally out of contact with said terminals, an impulse-bar common to all of thetraveling rods, and adapted to act upon all of them in su'ch manner as to cause their Contact with the terminals aforesaid, means" for actuating said impulse-bar, and a suitable casing, framing, or housing for containing the said assembled instrumentalities, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name this 15th dayof December, A. D. 1883.

VILLIAM F. C. M. MCCARTY.

In presence of- J. BoNsALL TAYLOR, JOHN JoLLEY, Jr.

IOO

IIO

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 300,098, granted June 10, 18841, upon the application of William F. C. M. McCarty, of St. Petersburg, Russia, for an improvement in Multiple-Circuit Closers, an 'error appears in the printed specification requiring correction, as follows: In line 43, page 3, the Word service should read source;

and that the Letters Patent should be read With this correction therein to make it conform to the record of the ease in the Patent Office.

Signed, countersigned, and sealed this Zrth day of J une, A. D. 1884.

M. L. JOSLYN, Acting Secretary of the Interior.

[SEAL] Countersigned BENJ. BUTTERWORTH,

Commissioner 0j" Patents. 

